Quaternary Geology and Climate Change Research

Darrell Kaufman: Quaternary geology & geomorphology

Research activities

My research
centers around environmental changes, particularly those related to
paleoclimate, that have shaped the Earth's surface during the Quaternary
Period. I study lake and glacial deposits that provide an archive of long-term
climate variability. Because dating of geological materials is pivotal to
understanding the timing, rates, and regional extent of paleoclimatic changes,
I am particularly interested in geochronology, especially amino acid
geochronology and tephrochronology. And, because accurate dating of geologic
deposits is predicated on understanding the geologic context of the dated
materials, I have a strong emphasis in field geology. I have been involved in a
variety of field-oriented projects, principally at high latitudes and high
altitudes where past environmental changes have been most pronounced and future
changes are anticipated to be greatest. I have externally funded research
programs in two field areas, western/northern Alaska, and the eastern Great
Basin. The analytical phase of my research is devoted to analyzing the physical
properties of lake sediments, particularly those from glaciated basins, and
applying amino acid geochronology and paleothermometry to resolving outstanding
Quaternary paleoclimatic and geochronological problems.